**FT: Monaco 2-1 FC Barcelona – A Disappointing Start for Barça in the Champions League**
Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 2-1 to AS Monaco in the Champions League. This early setback disappointed both fans and the team, particularly manager Hansi Flick, who criticized two key players for their contributions to the loss.
Flick had hoped for a strong performance after a promising start to the season, but a mistake by goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen changed the course of the match. After the game, Flick was candid: “Ter Stegen’s error altered the outcome; Barça needs to seriously consider finding a new goalkeeper.” This mistake allowed Monaco to equalize, shifting the momentum in their favor.
Additionally, winger Raphinha missed two crucial chances that could have secured a win for Barcelona. Flick pointed this out in his post-match remarks: “Raphinha missed two opportunities that should have been goals. These were critical moments that could have made a difference.”
Although Barcelona initially took the lead, Monaco capitalized on the defensive blunder and Raphinha’s missed chances, leading to Barça’s defeat.
Despite the disappointment, Flick remained optimistic, noting that it’s still early in the Champions League season: “It’s just the beginning, and we have many matches ahead to make up for it.”
While the loss stings, Barça will have several more chances to demonstrate their capabilities in the group stage, and both the manager and players will aim to learn from their mistakes as they progress.
